Hexbloods are among the rarest and most mysterious of the cursed peoples. No one is born a Hexblood. Rather, a Hexblood is created through witchcraft, curses, bargains, or the meddling of hags and other ancient powers.
Whatever a Hexblood once was no longer matters in a biological sense. A human, dwarf, elf, or orc may become a Hexblood, but after the transformation they are simply a Hexblood. The condition is permanent and, according to all known scholarship, cannot be reversed by any means short of direct divine intervention.
Most Hexbloods bear unmistakable signs of their transformation. Their appearance often becomes strange and otherworldly. Unusual skin tones, unnatural eyes, hair that regrows with remarkable speed, and peculiar growths resembling a living crown or wreath around the head are all commonly reported.
No two Hexbloods are precisely alike, though few would mistake one for an ordinary mortal.
Unlike the Dhampir, whose condition is often feared because of its association with undeath, the Hexblood inspires a different sort of unease. They are reminders of old stories and darker lessons: of bargains made in desperation, of promises given to things that dwell deep in forests, and of powers that grant wishes only to demand a terrible price in return.
Many folk believe that every Hexblood is somehow connected to a hag, whether as a servant, an intended successor, or the victim of some ancient bargain. In truth, some Hexbloods know precisely why they were transformed, while others spend their entire lives searching for answers.
The existence of the Hexblood has also given rise to countless superstitions. Some believe they can curse crops with a glance. Others claim they hear voices in the wind or know secrets that have never been spoken aloud. Most such tales are exaggerations, though few people are entirely comfortable testing where rumor ends and truth begins.
History records heroes and villains among the Hexblood in equal measure. Their curse does not determine their character.
It merely ensures that wherever they go, they carry a little of the uncanny with them.
Sub-Cultures¶
Hexbloods possess no nations, settlements, or true sub-cultures of their own.
Most retain the customs and traditions of the people among whom they were raised, though many find themselves gradually separated from their former communities by fear, superstition, or simple misunderstanding.
Because the circumstances of their transformations are often unique, Hexbloods frequently possess deeply personal relationships with their condition. Some seek the hag or power responsible for their creation, hoping for answers. Others spend their lives avoiding such beings entirely.
Unlike the Dhampir, who may recognize a shared struggle in one another, Hexbloods often possess little in common beyond the fact of their transformation. One may have been marked at birth by an ancient bargain, another altered by a curse, and a third deliberately created by a coven of hags.
Nevertheless, when Hexbloods meet, they often discover a sense of uneasy kinship. Few others understand what it means to wake one day and realize that something old and strange has laid claim to a portion of your life.
Among Hexbloods, there is an old saying:
"Every gift has a giver, and every giver wants something."
Optional Player Origins (Out of World)¶
A character might have become a Hexblood in any number of ways, including:
- Seeking a child, your parent made a bargain with a hag. You were marked by that bargain at birth, and on your thirteenth birthday the curse awakened.
- A hag stole something from you and left something of herself behind. Whether you were kidnapped, exchanged, or simply touched by her magic, you eventually became a Hexblood.
- A coven of hags lost one of its members. You were transformed with the intention that you would someday replace the missing hag.
- You were cursed as a child, and a hag's magic "saved" you. The original curse was lifted, but in its place you became something entirely different.
No two Hexbloods need share the same origin, and the circumstances of one's transformation often shape how they view their curse for the rest of their lives.
Naming Traditions¶
Hexbloods possess no naming traditions of their own and generally retain the names they bore before their transformation, following the customs of the people into which they were born.
Some, however, choose to adopt new names after becoming Hexbloods, believing that the person they once were no longer exists or wishing to place distance between themselves and their former lives.
Among those who embrace their strange nature or seek to emulate the figures of folklore from which so many Hexblood stories arise, it is not uncommon to adopt the honorifics Auntie or Uncle before one's name.
Such individuals often cultivate an air of mystery and wisdom, becoming herbalists, fortune tellers, midwives, healers, storytellers, or simply eccentric figures at the edges of society.
Whether these titles are used affectionately, ironically, or with complete sincerity depends entirely upon the individual.
Beauty Ideals¶
Hexbloods generally retain the standards of beauty held by the cultures from which they came.
Unfortunately, the opinions of others are often less charitable.
The unusual appearance of many Hexbloods—their strange eyes, unnatural skin tones, living crowns, and other uncanny features—often causes ordinary folk to regard them with discomfort or suspicion.
Even when physically attractive by conventional standards, many Hexbloods possess an unsettling quality that is difficult to describe. People may find themselves staring at a Hexblood, only to realize moments later that they have become uneasy without understanding precisely why.
As a result, Hexbloods are more often described as strange, captivating, or uncanny than beautiful.
Of course, there are exceptions. Some find their otherworldly appearance fascinating or even alluring, and many stories feature mysterious witches or wandering seers whose beauty is said to be equal parts enchanting and dangerous.
Among Hexbloods themselves, unusual features are often worn with pride. To many, their appearance is not a disfigurement but a visible reminder that they have survived extraordinary circumstances and become something entirely new.
Gender Ideals¶
Hexbloods possess no common views regarding gender roles or expectations. They generally retain the beliefs and customs of the societies in which they were raised.
The experience of becoming a Hexblood, however, often places them outside many ordinary social expectations.
Whether feared, revered, or merely regarded with suspicion, Hexbloods frequently find that others focus far more upon their condition than upon their gender, ancestry, or social standing.
Many consequently become highly independent individuals, defining themselves according to their own values rather than the expectations of others.
Among those who fully embrace their Hexblood nature, the titles of Auntie and Uncle often carry greater significance than conventional social distinctions. These honorifics suggest wisdom, eccentricity, and a connection to old traditions rather than any particular status or role within society.
As one old saying goes:
"Every village has an auntie who knows too much."
Relationships and Courtship¶
For many Hexbloods, matters of love and companionship are complicated by the realities of their condition.
Their unusual appearance and the superstitions that surround them often make ordinary people uneasy. Friendships and romances sometimes falter beneath the weight of fear, suspicion, or the simple belief that one should not become too close to a person associated with curses and witchcraft.
As a result, many Hexbloods spend long periods of their lives alone.
Others, however, embrace their strange nature and make use of the talents their transformation has granted them.
Hexbloods have a well-earned reputation for charm, subtlety, and a keen understanding of the desires of others. Some become exceptionally skilled at courtship, while others are not above employing magical disguises, enchantments, or carefully cultivated mystique to attract the attention of potential partners.
Such practices are viewed differently from place to place. Some regard them as harmless flirtation, while others consider them manipulative or even unethical.
Among the Hexbloods themselves, opinions vary greatly.
Some believe that using magic to influence affection cheapens genuine love. Others argue that ordinary people rely upon beauty, status, wealth, and countless other advantages in courtship, and that a little magic is simply another tool.
As one Auntie famously remarked:
"A handsome face is also a kind of spell."
Because Hexbloods are so rare, it is uncommon for one to meet another of their kind, and lasting relationships between two Hexbloods are exceedingly unusual.
Nevertheless, when such relationships do occur, they are often characterized by an unusual degree of honesty. Few others can truly understand what it means to live with the burden of an old curse and the suspicion of the world.
Among the Hexbloods, there is an old saying:
"The heart is the easiest thing in the world to enchant and the hardest thing in the world to keep."
Common Etiquette¶
Hexbloods generally retain the etiquette and social customs of the peoples into which they were born. In practice, however, their condition often places them outside the boundaries of ordinary society.
Many Hexbloods become careful observers of manners and social expectations, learning quickly how to put others at ease or, when necessary, how to unsettle them.
Because they are frequently associated with witches, curses, and old folklore, strangers often approach Hexbloods with a mixture of curiosity and caution. It is considered rude in most cultures to ask a Hexblood who cursed them, whether they know any hags, or if they are capable of placing curses upon others.
Unfortunately, such questions are exceedingly common.
Likewise, many Hexbloods grow weary of being asked to interpret omens, read fortunes, or solve every mysterious occurrence in a village simply because they appear unusual.
Among Hexbloods themselves, promises and bargains are often taken very seriously. Many possess a healthy respect for the power of words and prefer to speak plainly when making agreements.
Common Dress¶
Hexbloods generally dress according to the customs of the cultures from which they came.
Their unusual features, however, often require accommodations. The living crowns, garlands, horns, antlers, or other strange growths common among many Hexbloods frequently make hats and helmets impractical or impossible to wear.
As a result, cloaks with large hoods, scarves, shawls, and specially tailored head coverings are especially popular.
Some Hexbloods attempt to conceal their unusual appearance in order to avoid suspicion, while others embrace it completely. Those who take on the titles of Auntie or Uncle often cultivate a distinctive appearance, favoring elaborate jewelry, layered garments, charms, and other adornments that enhance their air of mystery.
Among ordinary folk, it is often said that one can recognize a Hexblood because they are either dressed too plainly or far too interestingly.
Customs and Traditions¶
Hexbloods possess no true shared culture, but certain habits and traditions appear repeatedly among them.
Many keep collections of odd trinkets, mementos, and seemingly insignificant objects. Locks of hair, unusual stones, dried flowers, old letters, and curious charms often hold personal significance that is known only to the Hexblood who keeps them.
Likewise, many are reluctant to discard gifts or throw away objects that possess sentimental value, believing that memories and intentions have power of their own.
Hexbloods who embrace their condition frequently become repositories of local knowledge. Villagers may seek them out for remedies, advice, blessings, curses, or simply because they are believed to know things that other people do not.
Whether this reputation is deserved varies greatly from one individual to another.
Among Aunties and Uncles, it is also common to exchange recipes, herbal remedies, and stories rather than material gifts.
Common Taboos¶
Among Hexbloods, breaking one's word is often regarded as a serious failing. Whether because of old folklore, personal experience, or simple superstition, many believe that promises possess a weight that should not be taken lightly.
Likewise, many Hexbloods consider it deeply improper to use magic to deprive another person of their free will, particularly in matters of love or family. While flirtation, illusion, and harmless tricks are one thing, genuine coercion is another entirely.
Another common taboo is revealing another Hexblood's secrets without permission. Many have spent years concealing the circumstances of their transformation or the identities of the beings responsible, and such confidences are generally treated with great respect.
Finally, many Hexbloods strongly dislike being called witches, hags, or monsters unless they have chosen such titles for themselves. Most are keenly aware that they are touched by strange powers, but few appreciate having their entire identity reduced to old fears and village superstitions.
Among the Hexbloods, there is an old saying:
"A curse may change your nature, but it need not change your manners."
Historical Figures¶
Stats¶
Scientific Name
Homo maledictum arcanus
Lifespan
Same as original race
Average Height
Same as original race
Average Weight
Same as original race
Average Physique
Same as original race
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Hexbloods often exhibit unusual skin and hair colors that reflect their fey magic or hag influence.